International Criminal Court rules insufficient evidence to try Darfur rebel for war crimes

International Court dismisses case of Darfur rebel

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The International Criminal Court has dismissed the case against a Sudanese rebel leader, ruling that war crimes prosecutors had failed to provide sufficient evidence to put him on trial.

Bahar Idriss Abu Garda had been accused of planning and participating in an attack on African Union peacekeepers in Sudan’s Darfur region in 2007 that killed 12 international troops.

He was charged with three war crimes stemming from the assault on the Haskanita military camp, which prompted the African Union to suspend its peace mission.

The judges ruled Monday they were not satisfied that the prosecution had a viable case against Abu Garda, and they declined to confirm the charges against him.

They said the case could be reopened if the prosecution provides more evidence.